Apple has quietly discontinued its compact wired keyboard, and only offers the full-size wired option on its store. Also, Hulu Plus, the recently launched $7.99-per-month TV service for iPad, iPhone and other devices, has "exceeded expectations" in attracting subscribers.

Apple no longer sells compact wired keyboard

Apple has silently removed the compact wired keyboard from its online store. The product is no longer available for purchase, and it cannot be selected as an option when configuring a new Mac.

The keyboard with part number MB869LL/A is officially discontinued, though some resellers still have stock available.

Apple introduced the compact wired keyboard in 2009 alongside a refreshed iMac line. It had a similar appearance to its wireless counterpart, as it lacked a numeric keypad.

While the wired compact keyboard is no longer available from Apple's store, it can still be purchased through Amazon for $46.99.

Apple still sells its full-size wired keyboard with numeric keypad for $49. It also sells the wireless keyboard, without a numeric keypad, for $69.

Hulu Plus 'exceeding expectations,' but no numbers given

Hulu Chief Executive Jason Kilar told Media Memo that his company's recently launched $7.99-per-month Hulu Plus plan is "exceeding expectations," and has already hit its year-end subscriber goals. The company has not, however, revealed how many subscribers it has.

However, while Hulu Plus allows iPad and iPhone users to watch the website's content on their mobile device, most of the success for the subscription plan has come through big-screen TV watching through the PlayStation 3 videogame console. The early data could suggest that users are not as interested in watching full-length TV shows on a smaller screen.

Hulu Plus formally launched in November at a lower price than the $9.99-per-month cost it had during a trial period. Subscribers can stream network TV content through the free Hulu application for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch over both Wi-Fi and 3G.

I have been toying with this myself since my PS3 does indeed have both Netflix and Hulu Plus, but the one thing I can't get around is the sports. Other than local channels and ESPN3.com, I just don't know how I'd be able to watch my teams. My college teams either aren't regional to where I live or are not national powers (ie. not on the major networks a lot), and my pro teams are not local either. If anyone has an idea, please let me know, because I would love to eliminate that bill.

It will be interesting to see how competition develops between Hulu and Netflix.

Netflix recently changed their pricing structure and offer an "unlimited streaming only" plan for the same price as Hulu Plus. For $2 more you can get unlimited Blu-Ray/DVDs 1-at-a-time via snail mail in addition to unlimited streaming.

Netflix plans to shift the focus from the disc-by-mail service and try to secure more licenses and agreements to provide a larger selection of content over their streaming service.

I use Netflix and love it. And I would probably never use their disc-by-mail service if they had all the content I wanted on the streaming service.

The compact wired keyboard never made sense to me. Anyone on a desktop is going to need/want those extra function keys and numeric keypad on the full-size version.

I imagine there probably is some demand out there for a full-size wireless keyboard as well, such as someone in an accounting firm who wishes to take the iPad to client meetings (hint hint, apple).

I disagree. My iMac is on a setup that is ladder shelves, and a special shelf for a computer. It fits my 20" iMac perfectly. I have the Magic Mouse, and the wired full size keyboard. My mousepad is, sadly, in front of my keyboard due to space issues. I have been waiting until I get an Apple gift card for Christmas to purchase, but seeing this, I guess I will be going to my local Apple Store today or tomorrow to pick one up.

So, while we can get Hulu Plus on our iPads, we can't then stream the shows to our TV via Apple TV using AirPlay? It's blocked?

I dont think 3rd-party apps have AirPlay support. I would expect it to come, but Id wager that support will come as an optional API. Frankly, I dont see why Hulu would ignore this feature, but theyve blocked access to their regular, ad supported site on Google TV, so who knows.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

I disagree. My iMac is on a setup that is ladder shelves, and a special shelf for a computer. It fits my 20" iMac perfectly. I have the Magic Mouse, and the wired full size keyboard. My mousepad is, sadly, in front of my keyboard due to space issues. I have been waiting until I get an Apple gift card for Christmas to purchase, but seeing this, I guess I will be going to my local Apple Store today or tomorrow to pick one up.

You are in a very unique situation and the wireless version would serve you just fine anyway. New iMacs ship with the small wireless keyboard, and the full size wired keyboard is an option (no difference in price). I don't really see the point of having a small wired version as well.

Am I the only one who finds the trendoid obsession with wireless devices annoying?

My keyboard sits on my desk, about 45 centimeters from my computer. The only times I've moved it in the past 10 years have involved coffee spills. With the exception of my handheld, the only thing I get out of wireless is annoying disconnects and the opportunity to replace expensive, toxic batteries.

I don’t think 3rd-party apps have AirPlay support. I would expect it to come, but I’d wager that support will come as an optional API. Frankly, I don’t see why Hulu would ignore this feature, but they’ve blocked access to their regular, ad supported site on Google TV, so who knows.

AirPlay can be enabled at the developer's discretion. I have not seen any third party examples of it for video but there are examples of Airplay audio. Radio Paradise has it for sure since I use it. Also I heard that Pandora does as well. Although I have not investigated the API required, it is apparently there for us to use.

EDIT: After some investigation, it appears that only audio Airplay is supported for third party apps, no video, although there are unpublished APIs in the SDK that can be hacked - but of course, Apple will probably decline to let in the App Store for using private APIs.

EDIT #2: Apparently there is a one line hack that makes it all work.
[movieController setAllowsWirelessPlayback:YES];
Still uses private APIs but at least we know it will work once Apple publishes the API. This was extracted from the youtube app.

The compact wired keyboard never made sense to me. Anyone on a desktop is going to need/want those extra function keys and numeric keypad on the full-size version.

I imagine there probably is some demand out there for a full-size wireless keyboard as well, such as someone in an accounting firm who wishes to take the iPad to client meetings (hint hint, apple).

I bought a separate wireless USB numeric keypad for my MacBook primarily after seeing how fast my accountant crunched numbers using one with his laptop. Apparently, most of the guys in his company have separate numeric keypads.

Now my setup is consists of a compact Apple Bluetooth keyboard + a mouse + the numeric keypad. The beauty of this layout, is that my mouse is closer to the keyboard which I use most of the time.

I have been considering getting full Bluetooth solution. Perhaps something like Microsoft's Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 & Number Pad and being able to use it with my iPad as well. Anybody, have any other recommendations?

Am I the only one who finds the trendoid obsession with wireless devices annoying?

My keyboard sits on my desk, about 45 centimeters from my computer. The only times I've moved it in the past 10 years have involved coffee spills. With the exception of my handheld, the only thing I get out of wireless is annoying disconnects and the opportunity to replace expensive, toxic batteries.

Huh, maybe I need to go pick up one of these compact wired keyboards before they disappear.

I never use the numeric keypad and it is nicer to have the pointing device closer to the keyboard. I'm using the compact wireless keyboard and the Magic Trackpad at home. I should grab a wired version and do this at work.

The reason I won't pay $9.99 for Hulu Plus on my iPad is because I can already watch hulu free on any other computer. Most people won't pay extra monthly for something on the iPad they already get free elsewhere. The idea is flawed.

I dont think 3rd-party apps have AirPlay support. I would expect it to come, but Id wager that support will come as an optional API. Frankly, I dont see why Hulu would ignore this feature, but theyve blocked access to their regular, ad supported site on Google TV, so who knows.

Pandora and Last.FM are two apps that are supported. Cover art shows. I would think next update to ATV or Hululu Plus app to work.would allow Hulu plus to work.

I wouldn't hold your breath- it took 3 plus years to get any non-iTunes movies on an Apple device. We should be so lucky to have the option to have any or all of them- I would prefer Amazon's myself. Hopefully Apple will get it that that the public want all these features like many blu-ray machines have these days.

I bought a separate wireless USB numeric keypad for my MacBook primarily after seeing how fast my accountant crunched numbers using one with his laptop. Apparently, most of the guys in his company have separate numeric keypads.

Now my setup is consists of a compact Apple Bluetooth keyboard + a mouse + the numeric keypad. The beauty of this layout, is that my mouse is closer to the keyboard which I use most of the time.

I have been considering getting full Bluetooth solution. Perhaps something like Microsoft's Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 & Number Pad and being able to use it with my iPad as well. Anybody, have any other recommendations?

The reason I won't pay $9.99 for Hulu Plus on my iPad is because I can already watch hulu free on any other computer. Most people won't pay extra monthly for something on the iPad they already get free elsewhere. The idea is flawed.

There is far more content available on hulu plus, which is available on all platforms, not just iPad.

You get what you pay for. Prepare to see less content on free, legal, outlets.

As for your question, most of the time I don't really use my number pad. But when I do, I find separate numeric keypad quite easy if not easier to use.

In addition, the small numeric keypad fits better in my carrying case.

Studies have shown that touch typist, particularly speed typist use the numeric keys on the keyboard and seldom use the number pad. As a matter of fact, all the typing programs that I have used only taught how to type using the main keys on the keyboard.

I am not surprised. They include the wireless one with iMacs (etc.) now. Remember, Steve jobs does not like wires. I was disappointed to get the wired mini keyboard with my Spring 2009 iMac and finally ponied up for the wired extended keyboard. I would have gone for a Bluetooth extended one, but Apple has not made one in years since the clear and white plastic ones. That just doesn't look right in front of an Aluminum iMac. I would like to see them come out with that soon.